The Potential of Tree and Shrub Legumes in Agroforestry Systems

Climate variability and changes are utmost important primary drivers of biological processes. They are intimately associated with a wide array of abiotic stresses, highlighting the vulnerability of ecosystems and endangering biodiversity. Nitrogen‐fixing trees and shrubs (NFTSs) constitute a unique group of plants for their wide range of applications at the environmental, social and economic levels. In this chapter, we review and analyse the potential of this group of legumes in agroforestry towards sustainable agriculture in Africa. In the first part, the intertwined pillar of sustainable agriculture is brought forward under the context of growing population and climate changes. The second part addresses general aspects of legumes, including botany and the symbiosis with rhizobia. The third part includes the application of NFTS as N‐fertilizers in agroforestry, highlighting the importance of an accurate choice of the crop(s)/NFTS combination(s) and cropping type (intercropping, multistrata or fallows). The implementation of agroforestry systems with NFTS should be supported by fundamental research strategies such as stable isotopes and systems biology and preceded by experimental assays, in order to identify the factors promoting N‐losses and to design appropriate management strategies that synchronize legume‐N availability with the crop demand

Cr(III) removal from synthetic and industrial wastewaters by using co-gasification chars of rice waste streams

ABSTRACT: Blends of rice waste streams were submitted to co-gasification assays. The resulting chars (G1C and G2C) were characterized and used in Cr(III) removal assays from a synthetic solution. A Commercial Activated Carbon (CAC) was used for comparison purposes. The chars were non-porous materials mainly composed by ashes (68.3-92.6% w/w). The influences of adsorbent loading (solid/liquid ratio - S/L) and initial pH in Cr(III) removal were tested. G2C at a S/L of 5 mg L-1 and an initial pH of 4.50 presented an uptake capacity significantly higher than CAC (7.29 and 2.59 mg g(-1), respectively). G2C was used in Cr(III) removal assays from an industrial wastewater with Cr(III) concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg L-1. Cr(III) removal by precipitation (uptake capacity ranging from 11.1 to 14.9mg g(-1)) was more effective in G2C, while adsorption (uptake capacity of 16.1 mg g(-1)) was the main removal mechanism in CAC.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Wet-white shavings as a potential source for leather retanning bioagents

The tanning industry generates a high quantity of solid wastes, so there is a need to create ways to value these wastes with aim to reduce environmental impact. A lot of research work has been done recently and some authors have shown the potential for obtaining protein hydrolysates from solid wastes and its application. The present work had a main objective the wet-white shavings valorization by production of hydrolysed protein and biopolymrs for leather retanning.The authors would like to acknowledge IAPMEI for the support of the Project LSW2Chem 45319 by Portugal 2020 ProgrammeN/

SCARB2 mutations as modifiers in Gaucher disease: the wrong enzyme at the wrong place?

Unlike most lysosomal proteins, β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase), the hydrolase defective in Gaucher disease (GD), is delivered to lysosomes through its interaction with the transmembrane protein LIMP2. A few years ago, mutations in its coding gene, SCARB2, were reported to modify the severity of GD phenotype. The existence of a great variety of GD phenotypes is well-known, with numerous patients who carry identical genotypes presenting remarkable phenotypic variability. Over the years, that variability has been attributed to other genetic, epigenetic and/or environmental factors. Still, there is still much to learn on this subject. Recently, an association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and the presence of mutations in the GBA gene has been demonstrated. Moreover, there are also studies suggesting that genetic variants in the SCARB2 gene may also be risk factors for PD. We analysed the SCARB2 gene in the Portuguese cohort of 91 GD patients, having identified 3 different SCARB2 coding variants. Of those, 2 were known polymorphisms with high prevalence in the normal population (p.M159V and p.V396I) and the third was a novel coding variant, p.T398M, present in heterozigousity in a single patient. Our study demonstrated that, at least for the Portuguese population, genetic variability at SCARB2 does not account much to the GD phenotypic spectrum. Nevertheless, in vitro analyses of the novel p.T398M are envisaged, in order to further characterize the effect of this variant on the levels and sub-cellular location of GCase. The clinical presentation of the patient harbouring this coding variant will also be discussed.FCT PTDC/SAU-GMG/102889/2008; SFRH/BD/124372/2016N/

Effectiveness of hermetic containers in controlling paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) storage insect pests

Naturally infested paddy rice was used to compare the effectiveness of polypropylene bags and hermetic storage containers over 12 months of storage in a warehouse. Insect pest identification as well as the infestation level, percentage of damaged grain, weight loss, and moisture content were evaluated. Five insect species associated with stored rice were identified during the storage period, namely lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica), red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), rice/maize weevil (Sitophilus spp.), angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella) and flat grain beetle (Cryptolestes ferrugineus). The lesser grain borer was the most predominant species with an average incidence above 70% after twelve months of storage, followed by the rice/maize weevil with an incidence of 17%. When compared to hermetic storage containers, polypropylene bag showed the highest mean infestation level with 233.3 individuals/ kg after six months of storage, representing about 8-fold of the number of insects recorded in hermetic containers after six months of storage. In polypropylene container, the percentage of damaged grain and weight loss increased significantly achieving a maximum of 6.98% and 5.56% respectively, whereas using hermetic containers the highest percentage of damaged grain reached was 3.24% in polyethylene drum and the weight loss was 1.62% in GrainSafe bag. The results from the study show that the use of hermetic storage containers is a green alternative for safe storage of paddy rice, for 12 months without application of pesticides, bringing multiple advantages for smallholder farmers, lever food security and income generation for smallholder farmers and rice milling companiesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Central Auditory Processing Outcome After Stroke In Children.

To investigate central auditory processing in children with unilateral stroke and to verify whether the hemisphere affected by the lesion influenced auditory competence. 23 children (13 male) between 7 and 16 years old were evaluated through speech-in-noise tests (auditory closure); dichotic digit test and staggered spondaic word test (selective attention); pitch pattern and duration pattern sequence tests (temporal processing) and their results were compared with control children. Auditory competence was established according to the performance in auditory analysis ability. Was verified similar performance between groups in auditory closure ability and pronounced deficits in selective attention and temporal processing abilities. Most children with stroke showed an impaired auditory ability in a moderate degree. Children with stroke showed deficits in auditory processing and the degree of impairment was not related to the hemisphere affected by the lesion.72680-

Deteção remota aplicada à rega dos espaços verdes urbanos

A nova cultura da água visa a conservação dos recursos naturais e o aumento do rendimento produtivo da água nos espaços verdes públicos e privados. Estes espaços assumem uma relevância no bem-estar e na qualidade de vida das populações urbanas. No entanto, o aumento da área verde em climas mediterrâneos estará inevitavelmente associado ao aumento do consumo em água. A rega surge com a finalidade de fazer face às necessidades hídricas das plantas em função das caraterísticas climáticas da região. Esta situação é mais relevante quando a escolha das plantas não recai sobre as autóctones e a água para a rega tem origem na rede de distribuição de água potável. Nos últimos anos, alguns municípios em Portugal têm vindo a implementar a instalação de dois tipos distintos de contadores de água: consumo doméstico e rega. Assim, garante-se água para rega com tarifário de menor custo, visto não incluir tratamento de água residual. Desde 2012, que a vila de São Brás de Alportel implementou este sistema de rega para os jardins privados. O presente trabalho tem como objetivos o estudo da evolução dos consumos de água na rega dos espaços verdes privados que aderiram a este sistema e a monitorização da rega nos espaços verdes públicos, para uma gestão sustentável da água. A monitorização será realizada pela avaliação da qualidade dos espaços verdes através da deteção remota, integrada com a informação dos dados climáticos e dos consumos de água.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Multi-Analytical study of Rock Paintings from Leandro 5 Megalithic Barrow, North-Weastern Portugal

The colourant composition of a northern Portugal megalithic barrow decorated with ‘solar’ motifs was studied using a multi-analytical approach, allowing the characterisa- tion of the painting techniques, pigments and binders. The red pigment was prepared with iron oxide minerals, using vegetal oils as organic additives, while the black pigment was char- coal without any organic additives or binders. The solar motif was first drawn with charcoal and subsequently painted with a red pigment.The work was supported by UID/QUI/50006/2019 with funding from FCT/MCTES through national funds. César Oliveira acknowledges Instituto de Ciências e Tecnologias Agrárias e Agro-Alimentares, Porto (ICETA), for his contract under project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000011. This work was also developed under the project ‘Funerary and ceremonial practices between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age approached by archaeometry’ (ARQUEOM/Project-Sept2014)